The code below does an interesting thing.  It is basically a cookie detector for first time visitors on the iLearningGlobal website I run.

The problem I had was that I wanted to automatically run the audio the first time someone visited the site, and then require them to push play on later visits.  (See the iLearningGlobal website for the example)

Finally, I added it to the sidebar with a cookie setter and this if statement.  It looks like a lot, but take out the audio player and it is really not that much.  The two options are the same, with only the auto-play feature different.  echo means print in PHP.

<?phpif (isset($_COOKIE["user"]))
echo ‘<object type=”application/x-shockwave-flash” data=”http://www.liquidlearning.com/wp-content/plugins/pb-embedflash/swf/mediaplayer.swf?width=250&amp;height=190″ width=”250″ height=”190″ class=”embedflash”><param name=”movie” value=”http://www.liquidlearning.com/wp-content/plugins/pb-embedflash/swf/mediaplayer.swf?width=250&amp;height=190″ /><param name=”allowfullscreen” value=”true” /><param name=”allowscriptaccess” value=”always” /><param name=”flashvars” value=”searchbar=false&amp;image=http://www.liquidlearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/ilearning-global-contact2.gif&amp;shownavigation=true&amp;autostart=false&amp;file=http://www.liquidlearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/webintro.mp3″ /><small>(Either JavaScript is not active or you are using an old version of Adobe Flash Player. <a href=”http://www.adobe.com/”>Please install the newest Flash Player</a>.)</small></object><br>’;
else
echo ‘<object type=”application/x-shockwave-flash” data=”http://www.liquidlearning.com/wp-content/plugins/pb-embedflash/swf/mediaplayer.swf?width=250&amp;height=190″ width=”250″ height=”190″ class=”embedflash”><param name=”movie” value=”http://www.liquidlearning.com/wp-content/plugins/pb-embedflash/swf/mediaplayer.swf?width=250&amp;height=190″ /><param name=”allowfullscreen” value=”true” /><param name=”allowscriptaccess” value=”always” /><param name=”flashvars” value=”searchbar=false&amp;image=http://www.liquidlearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/ilearning-global-contact2.gif&amp;shownavigation=true&amp;autostart=true&amp;file=http://www.liquidlearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/webintro.mp3″ /><small>(Either JavaScript is not active or you are using an old version of Adobe Flash Player. <a href=”http://www.adobe.com/”>Please install the newest Flash Player</a>.)</small></object><br>’;

$expire=time()+60*60*24*90;
setcookie(“user”, “yes”, $expire);
?>

The end result is higher conversion because people hear a welcoming audio on the first visit to this iLearningGlobal website – and I do not loose much in the way of bouncing visitors because it does not play on the next page they visit.

Programming Note:  I am sure this code can be improved upon by a programmer.  I do not program full time any more.  Feel free to leave a comment on how to make it better if you so wish.

I want you to be more successful with your business via the web.  For that reason, lets forget about traffic for a little while.

WHAT!?! Website Traffic is EVERYTHING

Website Traffic is everything after you create a solid business system.  Do not mistake a website for a business system.

While many of you may think of me as an Internet Guru, the truth is that for 10 years I have been learning things the hard way, trial and error.  One thing that I have found is that myself, and many people I know, have focused on entirely the wrong things for too long.

(This is assuming you are not just trying to build advertising revenue, where traffic would be your main focus.)

The fact is, you need a system that catches leads and automates the system for your business outcome.  I spent years going through the various stages of investing in the web.

1. Build a nice website and hope people find it.
2. Realize people do not just find it, you have to promote it.
3. Start doing search engine optimization
4. Realize you need to build an email list
5. Become a publisher and start writing regularly
6. Start doing audio and video
7. Start selling things people want to by instead of things I want to sell
8. Automate the system to get results.

I am sure I have a ways to go.  While I have never invested in those guru packages, it probably would have been a good idea, considering how long it took me to learn the importance of building business systems, not traffic of fancy designs.  Many years ago we were correct about building expert sites with lots of content, but the monitization thing (kind of critical) took a long time to figure out.

So here is a suggestion.  If you have a great site that is not really producing sales, find something else that you can sell from the web.  It could be an affiliate product from clickbank or a mlm product, like iLearningGlobal.  Make sure it is not something that you need to actually do much to deliver.  Then start learning how to sell it profitably online.

When you start from scratch, it is much easier to focus on the outcome you want and not get lost in all the fluff of your existing business.  This is a great way to learn about Internet Marketing.

Today I released one of the more detailed reviews I have ever done.  See my iLearning Global Review.

There are several reasons that you want to do reviews.

1. Sell products
2. Generate better traffic
3. Help your audience find good products.
4. Help someone get publicity for a quality product.

These are all very good reasons, but you must be sure that you make your affiliation clear.  For example, in that iLearning Global Review I have a disclosure near the top stating my affiliation.

What makes a good review?

First, you should be aware of search engine results.  If you title your review xyz review, it will get much better placement in search engines instead of something more vague and clever.  When reviewing books, I like to use the title of the book and a hyphen, then the authors name.  A good example of this is my Twilight – Stephanie Meyers marketing post that shot my traffic through the roof.  (Not necessarily the traffic I am looking for, but oh well.)

Next, repeat the title fairly frequently instead of using it, the book, etc.  Not so much that it becomes annoying, but get some good keyword saturation.

Add an image or a video to make the page more interesting and appealing to the visitor.

Use tags – this can get you the great double listing in Google.

Mix it up.  Don’t just say iLearning Global Review over and over.  Also write things like, “When I was reviewing iLearning Global…”  The search engines look for this variation of language and it will see you as a more credible site.

If you follow these simple tips, your review should rank much higher in search engines and generate more traffic and interest in your website or blog.

As some of you may know, I joined iLearning Global and started an eLearning / iLearning Global Blog.

If you have been in business for a while, you have heard the various MLM pitches.  I have never personally done one before, and as soon as I hear MLM my eyes glaze over.

However, lets appreciate a good marketing structure when there is one.  Go over to the iLearning Global site and take a look at how they have structured their MLM compensation.  It really is brilliant.

They structure it so that your best case scenario is to have only five people below you.  Then you get paid a bigger amount if you help them build their business.  At first it seems counter intuitive.  Usually you get paid more for something you sell directly and less for the people below you.  In this case, there is a huge upside to helping the people below you build their business.

I do not know about you, but for me the idea of helping five people market their business is much better than selling like crazy to lots of people.

There is one other thing that makes this effort impressive to me.  They have attracted many high quality trainers into adding content to the online learning system.  The monthly cost for the training you get is very impressive.  Several people I have talked to already have said they will join because it will save them thousands of dollars per year and give them more diverse training.  Of course, these are people that spend money on self improvement.

This is not a sales pitch.  I recommend you look at how they have structured their payout and then rethink how you are organizing your affiliate program or MLM effort.  If it turns out this kind of opportunity interests you, contact me.  If not, at least lets appreciate a markting work of art.  Anything that made a skeptic like me join an MLM has to be great.  iLearningGlobal.tv is very interesting.

Find our more about iLearningGlobal

There are a lot of ways to measure success.  I have had three big successes this week, and thought I would share them to help you think about your successes.

#1: Alltop Virtual Assistant Blog

Our Virtual Buzz Assistant blog has been recognized as a leading Virtual Assistant Resource by Alltop.com.  This is a big success because it will generate much higher traffic and higher online respect, which translates into better SEO and a bigger audience.

#2: iLearning Global

Despite the fact that it is an MLM, I decided to join and promote this great product.  I joined Monday night, and by Wednesday I’d started appearing on Google in the #10 slot, 1st page, for the search iLearning Global.  I revamped an existing site that we were not doing much with.  Liquid Learning, which is our parent company.

#3: Marketing Mastery Advisory Board

Last night was the second meeting of my Akron area Marketing Mastery Advisory Board.  After the first meeting a month ago, one of the members went back after a discussion within the group on Google PPC and revised is campaigns to be profit oriented.  After only one meeting he is now saving over $1,000 per month and increasing his results.  I measure my success by how much I help other people succeed, and this was great to hear.

Did you have some big successes recently?  Go ahead and share them below.